Severe Soil Pollution in Sangam-dong... Mapo-gu Orders Detailed Soil Investigation by Seoul City and Korea Midland Power

Mapo-gu Sets Accurate and Clear Soil Concern Standard Areas Through Ministry of Environment Inquiry

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, "Will Never Overlook Soil Pollution Threatening the Health and Safety of Mapo-gu Residents"

On the 28th of last month, Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) conducted a comprehensive investigation (photo) of seven local nuisance facility sites, including ▲Korea Midland Power Seoul Power Headquarters (formerly Danginri Power Plant) ▲Culture Depot (formerly Oil Storage Base) ▲Fuel Cell Power Plant ▲Planned site for the Sanggam-dong Waste Incineration Plant, revealing that without exception, the soil in all areas was contaminated, causing a significant shock to the local community.

Amid rising complaints from residents about soil contamination, Mapo-gu swiftly announced on the 18th that it would demand a detailed soil investigation from Seoul City and Korea Midland Power, who are responsible for remediation, signaling strong administrative measures, drawing attention to the outcome.

A district official stated, “It is a very unusual and strong measure for a district, which heavily depends on Seoul City for budget, administration, and personnel, to request a detailed soil investigation from the city,” adding, “This indicates that the soil contamination situation is severe.”

Since the district has requested a detailed soil investigation from Seoul City and Korea Midland Power, it plans to take all available follow-up actions, including remediation orders under the Soil Environment Conservation Act, if the contamination exceeds the standard levels based on the investigation results.

According to the soil contamination survey conducted by the district on the 28th of last month, among eight survey points within 300 meters of the planned site for the Mapo-gu Waste Incineration Plant, fluoride exceeding approximately 195% of the standard was detected at seven points, except for one.

Additionally, the district conducted soil contamination tests at three sites of Korea Midland Power Seoul Power Headquarters, detecting fluoride levels of 406 mg/kg, 517 mg/kg, and 491 mg/kg, exceeding the soil contamination concern standard of 400 mg/kg in two locations.

The suffering of residents caused by the Danginri Power Plant, Korea’s first thermal power plant, has been revealed to continue not only in the past but also to the present, deepening residents’ concerns.

Mapo-gu, following a formal inquiry to the Ministry of Environment regarding the establishment of more accurate and clear soil contamination concern standard areas, received a response that “Mapo-gu, which holds administrative authority for soil remediation orders, is responsible for setting the standards,” and accordingly classified the application standards into zones 1 to 3.

Mayor Park Gang-su of Mapo-gu said, “We will never overlook soil contamination that threatens the health and safety of Mapo residents,” adding, “Since we have requested a detailed investigation from Seoul City and Korea Midland Power, we will take strong administrative actions based on the results to protect the health rights of our residents.” He continued, “Seoul City and Korea Midland Power should not underestimate the soil contamination issue and must immediately conduct detailed investigations and take responsible measures to alleviate the concerns of Mapo residents,” and stated, “Mapo-gu will actively participate in the soil detailed investigations conducted by Seoul City and Korea Midland Power to thoroughly manage and supervise the process.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.